MTa KanDo Lean™

MTa KanDo Lean is an experiential lean game from MTa Learning. It is designed so you, as a facilitator, can help participants:

  • understand how lean processing can improve customer satisfaction, business performance and job satisfaction
  • think through how the principles of lean processing could be introduced into participants place of work

You can use our lean game with anyone in the office, factory or supply chain who needs to understand or influence:

  • Customer service
  • Process improvement
  • Continuous flow
  • Balancing workloads
  • Information flow
  • Pull systems
  • Visual control systems (kanbans).

The activity and support materials are designed to take your participants through a structured approach to learning that includes:

  • Activity
  • Review to develop learning
  • Implementation of learning

The design of the activity and the participants' workbooks structure the learning through 5 phases. The key elements raised by each phase are listed under the tabs below. The number of phases completed and their emphasis can be changed to suit the needs of the participants.

AFSO21-lean-game

KanDo Lean being used to introduce lean principles by the US Air Force. Photo from: www.af.mil
Learn more about the 5 phases of KanDo Lean:
  • Phase 1
  • Phase 2
  • Phase 3
  • Phase 4
  • Phase 5
  • Learning Transfer
Example learning points to look for in phase 1:
  • efficient layouts
  • understanding product specifications
  • definition of product quality
  • dealing with surplus materials

An example question from the phase 1 review sheet:

  • Would it have helped if you had discussed business or order processing issues with the customer? If so, what would you want to achieve from these discussions?
 lean-training-game Our lean game in action at Britvic
Example learning points to look for in phase 2:
  • communicating with the customer
  • effective location and storage of components
  • problems with batch production and high WIP
  • internal communications
  • understanding priorities

An example question from the phase 2 review sheet:

  • There is likely to have been a lot of waste during phase 2. What was wasted or caused this waste?
 5s-game Kando Lean at the University of Kent
Example learning points to look for in phase 3:
  • process design for market requirements
  • use of visual displays and pull systems
  • benefits of shorter lead times
  • overall capacity planning
  • work distribution and balance

An example question from the phase 3 review sheet:

  • Compare the work load in different areas. How well was it balanced? Were there any bottle necks or slack?
 kando-game United Biscuits review phase 3
Example learning points to look for in phase 4:
  • coping with variable customer demand
  • alternative forms of Kanbans
  • one-piece flow and appropriate documentation systems
  • teamwork and flexibility
  • clear definition of responsibilities

An example question from the phase 4 review sheet:

  • If your customer demand quadrupled what are the advantages and disadvantages of: adding more people to existing work stations (and sub-divide the work) or having several work stations working in parallel?
 pull-push-training Participants on a MTa demonstration workshop
Example learning points to look for in phase 5:
  • customer/supplier relationships
  • dealing with remote businesses
  • avoiding component shortages
  • simplifying the supply of components
  • supply chain information flow and constraints

An example question from the phase 5 review sheet:

  • How do you think the following could benefit by the effective implementation of the principles introduced in through KanDo Lean:
                  • Customers?
                  • Companies? 
                  • Workers?
                  • Suppliers?		 supply-chain-games QCIT @ RAF Waddington prepare for phase 5

All phases of KanDo Lean encourage participants to think for themselves and challenge existing ideas, approaches and behaviours. KanDo Lean ends with a final questionnaire and discussion to consolidate this learning and encourage links to be made to the workplace:

  • it helps participants think through how the principles behind lean processing can be used
  • it focuses attention on participants place of work to see where and how lean processing might be able to help.

An example question from the learning transfer:

  • Remembering your learning today, if you were able to design your place of work from scratch what are the most important points that you should keep in mind?

 

MTa KanDo Lean comes with everything you need to run the activity, including:
lean_activities
  • a comprehensive facilitator' guide which includes full facilitator instructions, product information sheets and customer satisfaction sheets
  • 16 individual workbooks that are both reference documents and personal records of participants' learning
  • 3 boxes of over 300 durable plastic components for use as factory materials
  • kanban squares
  • sales order cards
Learn more about the facilitator guide and participant workbook:
Facilitator Guide
Example Page 12
Example Page 29
Facilitator GuideThe comprehensive facilitator guide includes all the information needed to successfully run the activity including room setup, timings, the role of the facilitator, learning points to look for and more

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Participant Workbook
Example Page 11
Example Page 12
Example Page 29
Participant WorkbookThe participant workbooks support the participant throughout the activity and include briefing notes for the activity, thought provoking review questions and learning transfer materials. Participants can keep the booklet as a record of their commitment to lean principles

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Lean Game

bullet-white "An excellent , stimulating and fun environment in which to learn"

Wendy Garner - Senior Lecturer, Coventry University

bullet-white "Shows the advantages of visual systems and continuous improvement"
Arthur Pemberton Muller Ltd
bullet-white "The class [using MTa Kando Lean] is an awesome hands-on learning opportunity for Airmen" 1st Lt. Andrew Acer  US Airforce read more

bullet-white "We use Kando Lean with clients as part of Lean training with all levels from MD to shop floor teams - simply a GREAT tool"

Chris McKellen - Manufacturing Awareness

bullet-white "It was a stretching brief from Britvic – help establish fresh production thinking for 70 people in just two hours but your team delivered it expertly. Had lots of positive feedback – we now intend to incorporate Kando Lean into our Line Leader development programme"

Ếamonn Dunlea, Continous Improvement Manager
Britvic Soft Drinks

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